Hide-and-Seek: No Ticks, Please is a story about Jose´ and Alex’s adventures in the bushes, tall grasses, and wooded areas. During their exploration, they find hidden treasures and hidden dangers. Alex learns about Jose´’s discovery of a hidden danger and how it will change their adventures. She also learns steps to keep them both safe. • Of the estimated 20 million 7- to 11-year old children in the United States (2000-2010 census), 60,000 have confirmed cases of Lyme disease (cdc.gov). The CDC estimates the incidence rate is 20 times that number due to several factors. • The incidence of Lyme disease is reported in nearly every state of the United States with significant reports in 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. • Educating children about prevention strategies against ticks will save families costly devastating effects: financial—diagnosis and treatment can be a significant cost; physical—misdiagnosis leads to severe health complications including heart and neurological symptoms; social/emotional—being misunderstood as the symptoms may be not visible to others; educational—learning disabilities may occur with Lyme disease affecting the brain and overall health of individuals. • Hide-and-Seek: No Ticks, Please is a story to help parents, educators, and medical personnel discuss the risks of ticks, how ticks transmit bacteria, steps to prevent contact with ticks, and how to remove a tick properly if it does become attached.
